Carpe Diem Cafe & Wine Bar

I’ve been coming to this cafe for years and it’s without a doubt my favorite coffee spot in Lafayette. It’s got beautiful windows that allow plenty of natural light into the space and they play such great music here. The coffee is TO DIE for, and they have an ever evolving menu. They have such a wide selection that you could bring absolutely anyone and they’ll have something for them! The staff is so friendly and courteous, if you have any questions they’re so happy to help out! It’s the perfect spot for a date night or if you just want to get some studying or reading done! If you’re coming downtown, make this a stop on your list!

VERY nice atmosphere that blends sophistication with simplicity. The gelatos and baked items are excellent. The chicken salad may be the best in Lafayette. It is obvious that management is dedicated to quality in atmosphere and menu offerings. This is where I go when I want to take a deep breath, relax and treat myself. Also, they offer gluten free. I HIGHLY recommend this business.

Really nice Dirty Chai, toasty and spicy. Nice selection of milks. They also have a bunch of Gluten Free goods, they’re REALLY yummy. Next step would be to balance the sweetness of the cakes. Atmosphere is nice and cosy before noon. Calm and chill. Computer friendly. Service was not super proactive. But once engaged it was ok/good. This was a really nice experience. I came around 10:30am a Monday morning in Aug.

I’ve been to Carpe Diem Café & Wine Bar a few times over this year, and I’ve never had an issue — until today. I was inside for about 45 minutes making some phone calls about insurance coverage. While I was still on the phone, the owner came and sat directly across from me and said, “I don’t like when people come into my small business, take up space, and don’t buy anything.” I told her I was on an important call, but she continued talking over me and pushing me to purchase something. I even asked her, “Are you talking about me?” and she said yes. I was caught off guard and honestly felt pressured, so I got up and ordered something — even though the situation made me uncomfortable and I shouldn’t have felt guilty for simply taking a moment to finish my call. The interaction felt rude, unnecessary, and very unprofessional. When I finally got off the phone and asked to speak with her again, her staff claimed she had already left, which made the whole situation feel even more dismissive. This experience really changed how I view this place, and I’m sharing it so others Can know what I experienced because I’m valued & I didn’t deserve this experience, I will not be back

We came by here while visiting our friends who moved to Lafayette. And what a great coffee shop! We loved the staff, the drinks, and above all the CROISSANTS and ALMOND CAKE. We can’t wait to come back when we visit next

Carpe Diem is truly one of the top gems in Lafayette. The vibe is always warm and inviting, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in town. Inside feels cozy and intimate, and the patio is surrounded by beautiful, lush plants that make it the perfect place to unwind. We come here multiple times a week—not just for the incredible gelato (all made from scratch!) but because the whole experience is consistently amazing. And it’s pretty special when the owner herself comes out to serve you. Carpe is a must-visit.

On a recent trip to Lafayette, LA, we stumbled upon what has quickly become one of our favorite finds — a cozy little coffee and wine bar tucked away with the kind of atmosphere you can’t help but sink into. From the moment we walked in, we were struck by the warm glow of the lighting and the calm, inviting energy of the space. It felt like the kind of place where conversations linger and time slows down. We decided to try an Espresso Martini and an Old Fashioned, and both drinks were crafted with such care that they set the tone for the afternoon. Sipping on them while taking in the thoughtful décor, we couldn’t help but notice how the entire setting seemed to encourage relaxation. The balance of sophistication and comfort made it feel both special and effortless at the same time. By the end of the afternoon, I knew this was a spot we’d be returning to. It wasn’t just about the drinks or the décor — it was the experience, the vibe, the way the place seemed to wrap you up and make you want to stay awhile. In a city full of flavor and charm, this little gem in Lafayette left a lasting impression.

Jess is always there when we come in and she is great. She goes out of her way to make our time here special. We make it a point to come to Carpe Diem at the end of our evening and it never disappoints and we credit that to the great service we get while we’re here.

Found our new fave hideaway in Lafayette Cozy vibes, perfect lighting, and cocktails that hit just right (Espresso Martini + Old Fashioned = chef's kiss). The kind of spot where time slows down and you never want to leave. Already planning our return!

It's nice and Divey, dark, and moody. Friendly attentive staff. And a frothy Chai for the win!

Just left Carpe. Ordered a s'mores latte and a brown butter rice crispy to eat with my friend while i worked on an essay. we had been there for maybe an hour, and the OWNER walks up to us and asks if we needed anything, we were fine so we said no thank you and she replied "well if you're going to be here we expect you to support us" in a snarky tone as we sat with a latte and empty plate in front of us that we had finished. my friend explained we were eating together and she just walked off. she was extremely rude and we won't be back. this was my first time but my friend comes weekly and has never went without buying anything. to add, my friend is asian, i saw a previous review with a bad encounter with a black lady. don't know if she is racist or what her problem is but she needs to fix her nasty attitude.

I visited this coffee bar in downtown on a recent business trip. It makes for a nice spot after a dinner, or just anytime for that matter. I was pretty impressed by the selection of pastries, coffees, teas, and types of milk. I tried the burnt butter cake and an iced brown sugar latte. The butter cake was really unique and reminded me of a mille crepe cake, which is not too sweet. The latte was very good as well, also not too sweet. I guess I just liked everything about this coffee shop, from the decor to the location to the service. For that reason, it makes sense to give it a full 5 stars.

Totally unexpected find during our roadtrip,but oh so worth it. Their gelatos are out of this world,and they sell some really cool coffee beans and teas inside,so you can tell they know their coffee/tea. I had espresso affogato with white chocolate/raspberry ice cream and this was probably the best kind of affogato I EVER had. I could 't resist a purchase of one of their tea tins on sale (looking like a pretty perfume bottle!) to go. Cozy seats outside,cozy inside,folks seemingly come in here regularly to do some work on their laptops over a cup of good coffee. Service was quick,and I even got a chance to briefly chat with the owner. Super lovely place!

Oh my gosh. One of my besties and I were in town to visit her alma mater and decided to visit downtown and stumbled on this ultra cute combo of ice cream-desserts-coffee and alcohol. Very cute and cozy place. Service was wonderful! The ice cream was absolutely divine. I'll be back.

Very cozy atmosphere. The affogato is delicious! Very good drink selections and has dairy free ice cream options. Staff were super friendly and helpful would definitely recommend.

This is a cute little coffee shop located in downtown Lafayette. The coffee is delicious, the crêpes are on point, and the pastries rival some of the best. Immediately, you're welcomed by beautiful Mondo ferns hanging in the outside entryway and the lovely art deco ambience makes you want to sit for a while and enjoy your cup of Joe. They also have an unexpected & wonderful liquor selection if you're feeling a little saucy. The owner is sweet as pie and I hear her mother makes all of the delicious cakes they offer. I love this place so much I brought both of my kids for a visit. My son is allergic to dairy so I was pleased to know they offered dairy-free gelato options. The grapefruit gelato tastes like it was made with a grapefruit freshly plucked off of a tree. There's something for everyone here.

We crossed the street after a meal at pops for dessert and a cordial We shared a piece of French almond cake. We both liked that it was not overbearing sweet We pared it with amaretto . They only have sniffers but that's not a big deal because it's a smallish place.

We enjoyed our every sip of order...They were super friendly and welcoming servers...Super cute decoration and chill atmosphere...I wished i lived closed by...Its a great place to hang out with friends or even study group...I recommend this place...

usually this is my go to place for a quick coffee Downtown but decided to sit in for a change while waiting for a friend to join me. all I can say is RUDE RUDE RUDE customer service. Barista assumed I was there to scavenge off the WiFi apparently when I asked for the passcode. she told me it's for customers only! WOW! She completely assumed I wasn't a customer for some reason and told me the code is for paying customers. I wasn't there for more than 5 minutes and waiting for the rest of my party. since I'm on there at least once a week it's sad you don't know your regulars. Train your people better!!

Nice spacious coffee shop in downtown Lafayette. They had a decent amount of selection and even serves booze, there was a seasonal buttered rum available for purchase. The coffee was creamy and thick and I liked that it was served in big coffee mugs, not tiny ones. Beautiful big window in the front to watch all the sights of downtown and some outdoor seating as well.

Awesome staff and welcoming ambience. Had a shot of espresso and some affogato and it was delicious. Check @eatinglafayette on Instagram and Facebook for more Lafayette food things!

I stopped in on our road trip for a coffee for my caffeine fix. It's an interesting place that serves coffee, wine, gelato, crepes and sandwiches. My kids had the gelato in snickers and the marshmallow mint with Oreos. Both were good, but the snickers won. I got the oat milk brown sugar latte iced. The coffee is good and smooth although I had to sweeten it up a little because it was a bit too coffee milky for me. Overall, I'd come back again if I was in the area.

Perfect place to go for dessert after lunch or dinner. I tried the honey cake and some biscotti gelato. The honey cake had a very strong flavor but paired with the frosting it was tasty. Biscotti gelato are one of the more standard choices to pick. For one scoop, I found it to be pricey but I didn't regret it afterwards. It was creamy and had amazing flavor. So ready to try other flavors and desserts!

I've tried several things on their menu and have enjoyed all of them! If you go here, the layered honey cake is a MUST. It is possibly the best cake I've ever eaten (you have to like cookie butter/biscoff to enjoy it). It's light fluffy and delicious. The gelato is also wonderful I tried the espresso martini which was okay, but still enjoyed it. The carrot cake frosting is yum but the cake was a little dry. The ambience is great! The workers are very kind as well

I'm just basing on the honey cake alone; this was THE BEST CAKE I've put in my mouth literally. I would totally eat this cake even if it was a week or two old. It's to die for!

Affogatos are the bee's knees. Stop in and grab one. Cozy place for some coffee and a snack. Bring a friend.

I really was a die-hard Carpe fan but i feel like a few months back when i still went in the staff weren't very helpful or enthusiastic. I asked how much caffeine was in their green tea and i was surprised that no one knew, or even cared to know, for that matter. I hope it's all chalked up to a bad day. Their selection is lovely and i nearly always loved whatever i ordered!

An absolute must! Great vibe and even better coffee. The barista made me one of the best lavender vanilla lattes I've ever had. Cannot wait to go again, the next time I'm in town.

This is such a neat place in downtown Lafayette. It's not far from where I work so on occasion I'll walk over for a chai latte and a snack (they have fresh baked goods and their crepes are also super yummy), and I've also come here in the evening when I had family visiting and we all had a cocktail which was also tasty. They carry gelato and artisanal chocolates, and both are to die for. This has a nice atmosphere, though I rarely am able to sit and stay and enjoy it.

The idea of this place is better than the place actually is. I've come here with different people several different times and it seems like the employees always look miserable. They almost have an attitude with me for just walking in. The drinks and crepes are alright but it seems like the employees hate their job and are being forced to work here. Every interaction I see them have with people is so nasty

Omg the ITALIAN HOT COCOA ...I repeat...the Italian Hot Cocoa! So rich and almost has a pudding texture to it. It definitely shocked me when I took a sip. Their gelato is the smoothest gelato I ever tasted. The BISCOFF gelato is an absolute must try! I cannot wait to come back and try their drip affogato.

This is the sort of downtown coffee shop that hipsters would say has atmosphere. They have shadowed interior and an outdoor seating area ideal for sitting and discussing ideas both big and small. They only offer one size for their coffee, which is fairly good, and do not do iced decaf.

No masks on any workers. No thanks. Yelp wants me to write more but really nothing more to say. Obviously no concern for customers or their community.

Slowest coffee service in town. Pastries that sit in the cooler and taste like it. No room to find seats.

I was excited to see this place serves Affogato (coffee over gelato), which i LOVE. The place is cozy and very welcoming. There's a piano and guitar so i assume there's live music on some days. I have a few nitpicks when it comes to how my affogato was served but I'll just chalk it up to preference. I ordered tiramisu gelato for my affogato but i wasn't offered choices for my espresso, nor was i asked if i wanted my coffee on the side to pour myself....the barista just poured it for me. The coffee was too strong and ruined it. I just ate the gelato that was on top because it was delicious. I read another Yelper described the coffee as "lackluster", and i agree. The gelato is great though. I want to return because i love the location and the cool artsy aesthetic. But i would not order the affogato.

The friendliness of the staff is what I liked the best. The staff was funny, very informative. The lady that works there is very outgoing, inquisitive and sweet. I enjoyed talking to her the most. I'll be honest, I've never heard of gelato before and still really don't know how it's different from ice cream. I was going to ask the staff what the difference was but I didn't get the chance. The gelato itself was good. I had cookies and cream. I like how they would give you a taste of flavors before you ordered. The gelato is a bit pricy but it's worth it!

The place has gotten a lot better since they changed owners. The hours are much better. They have rotating gelato selections that are always tasty and interesting, and a little espresso bar to go with it. Ultimately very good food and drink. The vibe there is quiet, but with a hip feel. The employees seem like they enjoy making customers happy with the gelato and sweet treats. I would not reccomend bringing a large group of kids here. It is a quiet place with a more mature and hip feel that would not likely mesh well with kids. Its an adult type of date spot!hangout. I go quite often so you could say its pretty good!

Best gelato ever!!! I got the white chocolate raspberry and it was out of this world!!! Will be going back to try the Nutella latte!!!

VERY CUTE DECOR/AESTHETIC! This is the perfect coffee date spot or any reason to go get coffee spot! Very cute inside and a cute patio seating area. Their ice cream and gelato is the bomb!! And the coffee is really great to! I haven't gotten a spiked coffee drink yet but they do have a full bar.

Not the best gelato out there but good for the price. The scoops for the cone are on the smaller side. The place was empty at 5:30 pm, and the worker had just arrived right after we were looking through the options -- he quickly chained his bike out front and burst through the front door super apologetically. Luckily we hadn't been ready to order anyway, so it was all good.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this Wonderful gelato place right on Jefferson Street in Downtown Lafayette!! I had the Strawberry Gelato and it was the BEST EVER!!!! this is a must go to place that I will go to again and again and again.......

Nice little local coffee shop. Good strong cup of jo. Nice to hang out, relax and support a local coffee shop.

Trendy little coffee house with gelato. Delicious . My new fave. Great coffee. I had the biscoff gelato! All I can say is heaven .

Really groovy place. Nice artsy atmosphere, very friendly and informative staff. Clean restrooms and plenty of seating. First time trying and will definitely be back!

This is a great place. I have always wanted a bar with a coffee-house atmosphere. This is it. No big screen TVs with sports on, no beer tappers, no big galoots seeing how much they can drink, just a mature, quiet place, like a Parisian cafe. As for the women who gave a one-star rating because they didn't want her to occupy a table for hours on end without buying anything, she was from California, so she is culturally deprived. What would you expect?

Since day one, Carpe Diem co-owners Silvia & Erik have taken - and continue to take - great pains to keep their high-quality selections fresh and catered to what their customers request. Gelato flavors range from the old-fashioned to the avant-garde, and they're all delicious! For those looking to warm up instead, Carpe Diem also boasts several pastry, coffee and tea choices for the discerning palate. I am not a coffee drinker, but I have sampled their tea and pastries. Trust me, you don't want to miss them. Fun and festive, the CD crew can always be found touting a custom flavor at a themed event (think: Butterbeer-flavored gelato for the "Harry Potter" release). Occasionally, their generous nature will manifest itself in the way of a "free gelato" event for first-time and regular customers. Their passion for what they do becomes obvious the minute you walk into their establishment. I'm grateful that Lafayette's first gelaterie was pioneered by people who are so dedicated to providing consistently amazing creations. One visit will have you hooked, which is why I and others will be frequenting Carpe Diem for many years to come.

This place is quite possibly the best cafe I've been too. I mean, they nailed everything just right. The environment, music, food, smell (yes I just said smell), and feel are all just perfect. I got the pineapple sherbet with cilantro and Serrano and it does sound like it wouldn't be that good but the flavors actually pair up perfectly with each other making this the best gelato I've ever had. In fact I dare to say that this might be the place that I would like a future job at.

The gelato here is what gets people in the door. There are a lot of flavors that seems to be rotated in and out. Many are more traditional, like chocolate chip, the they also have more adventurous selections as well. Most recently I got the blueberry basil, which was good, but the basil might be a bit overpowering for some. I've never had a flavor of gelato there I didn't like. They also have coffee, espresso and some baked good. I had a cappuccino last time which was mellow and tasty. I try to stop in here whenever I'm downtown, which is not often enough. Good atmosphere, good coffee, good gelato. I can't recommend it enough.

My first time visiting this shop and probably the last. The options for cup sizes were not shared with me and I ended up paying five dollars for a tiny tiny sample cup with probably one ounce of coffee. Not only was the cup a tiny tiny sample cup size but it only had a tiny bit of coffee, like an ounce of disgusting tasting coffee. I was so disappointed. They charge me first and even has the audacity to ask for a tip then surprisingly serves me a tiny tiny sample cup with probably an ounce or less of coffee. I looked to the side and another customer has a huge cup of coffee that obviously confirmed there were other size options and prices available that were not shared with me at the time of purchase. Every customer should be offered the options clearly for the exact price. Make your sizes, options, and prices clear to every customer. A customer should never order a cup of coffee and surprisingly pay five dollars to find out, after the fact, that they paid for a sample size tiny cup. That sample size cup is an insult to coffee shops and should be kept for babies and little kids. Even Starbucks has bigger cups clearly identified with the exact prices. No surprise charges should exist in any coffee shop. Get rid of those tiny sample cups and use cup sizes worthy of a second visit. Display sizes and prices clearly. Never surprise a customer with a tiny tiny sample cup of coffee after they paid for it. Make sure the customer is offered all sizes and knows and can see what they are getting before they pay, not after. That surprise purchase was very disappointing.

If you live within 100 or so miles of Lafayette Louisiana, please treat yourself and go to Carpe Diem in Lafayette, LA for Louisiana's best gelato, espresso and other treats. So good we drive from Baton Rouge, which has nothing even close to it. Great service. Very nice atmosphere. You will be so happy. Down the street is an interesting Violin store that sell, makes and repairs violins. The owner also plays violin in various Cajun bands. It sells to both Cajun fiddlers and to players of classical music. Lafayette is a center for music, all types, for all of south Louisiana. There are also some very good stores that sell antiques. But always end your trip at Carpe Diem. You will drive home fully awake.

10/10 would recommend they brown sugar spice latte and the biscoff gelato. The customer service was also a plus, they can hold a good conversation.

This place is under new ownership. We contracted with the prior owners over 6 months ago to provide a Gelato cart for my daughters wedding next week. Less than 10 days before the event the new owners REFUSE to honor the agreement. No reason or apology was offered. The new owners will NEVER again see a dime from me.

I love this little gem so so so much! The owner is absolutely lovely and answers any dumb questions one might have with a charming smile on his face. The staff is equally kind and attentive. We were engaging in some chit chat about what we wanted to order and it was brought up that the Cappucino flavored gelato has 16 shots of espresso, which explains to me that they make their own dreamy gelatos. YES!! Their gelatos are creamy and flavorful and not too ridiculously sweet. Although their coffee some of the smoothest I've had (I don't know what brand they brew), my favorite item on the menu is the affogato- two scoops of gelato (one or two flavors of choice) with a freshly prepared hot shot of espresso poured over. Yes, it is a magical and delicious as it sounds. Easily one of my favorite coffee shops ever!

Amazing place. I loved the Tuscany feel in the decor. This is definitely a hidden gem. I was traveling to Houston, TX and on a whim googled for a gelato place and this popped up. Limited street parking so I had to park in a metered parking lot. A few seats outside and more inside. This place also serves as a bistro. The guy working the counter was super personable and friendly. The gelati selection was fair. I got the Biscoff cookie gelato for the kid and straciatella for me. I really loved the Biscoff should have got that one for myself as well. Both were delicious. I loved the decor of this place. See pics, cool bathroom too.

What an amazing find! We were looking for a coffee and a way to kill time on our way to a client meeting and stumbled upon this delight. We talked to the man behind the counter who recommended an amazing cappuccino with honey and delightful gelato. We settled in for our short wait, enjoying the ambiance, when the proprietor came from behind the counter and sat down at a piano to play a song for some customers. Molto bello!

Carpe Diem is both a cofee shop and a gelato shop. However, I hate to be mean but I prefer places that specialize and do one of these things really well rather than mediocre at both. I really thing the gelato was better than most places, with great flavor and assortment (such as the almond fig or biscotti cookie which were our favorites!). The prices are excruciatingly expensive, with about $5 for a small cup with one scoop (although you can get 2 flavors). And for the coffee, I was very disappointed. I got something I could barely drink after they forgot to make my order and I waited about 15 minutes. I went to the counter and they apologized and made it immediately. Unfortunately, no amount of brown sugar or agave could sweeten up the taste of burnt coffee. I did really appreciate the coolness of non-white sugar options available -- and I even commented very surprised that they use lasagna noodles for stirrers to be eco-friendly. Unfortunately, the staff didn't make up for it and didn't find my surprise amusing, nodding nonchalantly and moving on. If the staff were super-friendly, I could warrant going back to try another gelato flavor, but even with the prices so high, I'm sure I could find something better elsewhere.

Well I initially only wanted to give Carpe Diem less than 3 stars because there are SO FEW outlets in the shop. I'm one of those folks who likes to spend several hours in a coffee shop working (while purchasing several items during my stay to support the shop and compensate them for letting me work there, mind you.) - however, they must not want to cater to that crowd as the only outlet was in a single corner of the seating area. However, the quality of the coffee, service, and atmosphere demanded a higher rating. Had an absolutely delicious cappuccino served by friendly and helpful staff. Love that they use the Japanese iced coffee brewing technique - the flavorful and smooth coffee that it produces is far superior to standerd iced coffee preps which can be very very bitter - this lets the coffee's actual flavor profile shine. Plus Carpe Diem has a charming Italian cafe feel - with a lovely Tuscan mural painted on the brick wall and fresh roses in mason jars on the tabels. The pianist outside was wonderful too. Great place - will definitely return to snag a spot in the "outlet-corner" and try their beautiful gelato selection.